IN 1854, a slave in Washington, D.C., along with her two daughters, was provided with references so that she could seek new masters. The three were being offered for sale for $1,800 — the equivalent of about $67,000 in today’s currency.

Here are their references:

The bearer, Mary Jane, and her two daughters, are for sale. They are sold for no earthly fault whatever. She is one of the most ladylike and trustworthy servants I ever knew. She is a first rate parlour servant; can arrange and set out a dinner or party supper with as much taste as the most of white ladies. She is a pretty good mantua maker; can cut out and make vests and pantaloons and roundabouts and joseys for little boys in a first rate manner. Her daughters’ ages are eleven and thirteen years, brought up exclusively as house servants. The eldest can sew neatly, both can knit stockings; and all are accustomed to all kinds of house work. They would not be sold to speculators or traders for any price whatever.

This document, held by the New York Public Library, was quoted by author U.B. Phillips in his 1918 book on slavery

I find it interesting for a few reasons: the high regard in which the owner of Mary Jane obviously held her; the fact that the owner considered her a trained servant, not the dehumanized chattel of popular imagery; and the high price which Mary Jane and her daughters were expected to fetch, making it unlikely that their new owners would do anything to jeopardize their health and well-being. Indeed, an employer in those days would more readily leave without sustenance a temporary employee than a “slave,” for whom made a large investment.

Finally, the document is interesting because it is an example of the reluctance of some whites to place their slaves in the hands of commercial slave traders and dealers who might separate family members or disregard the slave’s preferences. Instead of being offered through a dealer, Mary Jane was seeking a new master herself. According to Phillips, “the disesteem in which the slavetraders were held was so great and general in the Southern community as to produce a social ostracism.” Slaves being transferred domestically were, however, also sold by dealers. “Those on the block oftentimes praised their own strength and talents, for it was a matter of pride to fetch high prices.” An owner would be less likely to resort to dealers in the case of honest and trustworthy slaves.

Mary Jane’s daughters were sold for $1,000 on the condition that the mother was taken on trial for one month and purchased if satisfactory.

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